Spain's leading haute couture house is once again without a creative director: Pierpaolo Piccioli, master of color, leaves Balenciaga

Pierpaolo Piccioli has stepped down from his role at Balenciaga, leaving the brand without a creative director again after Demna Gvsalia's departure. The Spanish house, owned by Kering, aimed to blend Piccioli's delicate style with the youthful, bold aesthetic that Gvsalia popularized. Sales had improved in early 2026, boosted by new accessory lines, but later declined. The leadership changes at Kering have been frequent, with other notable departures including Anthony Vaccarello from Saint Laurent and Sean McGuirr from McQueen. Speculation surrounds potential successors, with Glenn Martens and Martine Rose being considered as candidates to take over Piccioli's legacy.